Are we reaching a Limit?

2624 Views 38 Replies 29 Participants Last post by Son of Thunder, Dec 17, 2006

G

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2006

Anyone feel that there is to many features, (air bag, ABS, heated everything, premium sound etc.) added to the Goldwing that we forget it's just a bike?

Did we reach a point for 2007 that we made it more then a touring bike, and paying for one is a another mortgage and not a bike loan?

What would cycle riders back in the 1930's and 40's say about this cycle we call a Goldwing today?

Comments Please............

21 - 39 of 39 Posts

winger52

· #21 · Dec 16, 2006

I have been on these things since they came out in '75. When they brought out the Aspencade in '82, I remember saying that it couldn't get any better than this. Then they brought out the '88 1500 and I said it can't get any better than this. Then they brought out the 2001 1800 and I said it can't get any better than this. Now, I just sit and wait to see what is next. I always say when they bring one out that I probably won't have one and then I do. I am just a sucker for new stuff and cool technology. I will be the only 85 year old on the block with a new bike. I'll bet I get dates out of the nursing home..........In Indianapolis it is pretty and clear and I am going riding on my primitive old Harley. Makes me appreciate the Wing even more......Ken

Hokie

· #22 · Dec 16, 2006

Wi_Winger said:
Anyone feel that there is to many features, (air bag, ABS, heated everything, premium sound etc.) added to the Goldwing that we forget it's just a bike?

Did we reach a point for 2007 that we made it more then a touring bike, and paying for one is a another mortgage and not a bike loan?

What would cycle riders back in the 1930's and 40's say about this cycle we call a Goldwing today?

Comments Please............

In the 30's and 40's they didn't have anything so they didn't know they were missing anything!

Dorian_Blue

· #23 · Dec 16, 2006

When on a long cross country ride I often take stock of what is really being used on the bike:

The fairing and windshield is good for minimizing fatique.
The bags and trunk are good for holding my stuff that I need on a long ride.
The right tunes enhance the ride, like having a soundtrack to my life.
The CB allows me to say "wow" to my friends while we're moving.
The cruise control gives my right hand a rest on the occasional interstates.
The GPS keeps my mind free to enjoy the ride and not worry about what's next.
The foglights and spoiler brake light help keep me safe.
The 1800cc's keeps it all moving at a pace as if I was on just a two hour ride.
The ABS gives me an additional margin for error.
The heated stuff keeps me on the bike year around.

The only thing I don't use to enhance my ride is the reverse mechanism, but maybe in another few years it will become more important. I don't have the airbag but I can understand its perceived value to some folks.

I like what the GL1800 has to offer. I simply wish they would keep it basic with ABS and let each person add what they want. Sure, there is a romantic notion to riding a Sportster or other stripped down bike across country. It also would be sweet to ride a horse from Montana to Texas, but I doubt I'll take that on. I like the enhancements to the ride. 25 years ago when I was riding a Vetter dressed CB750K and an Electraglide I was dreaming about a bike that could be like the GL1800 fully loaded.

Having the best always comes at a premium price.

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Yaki

· #24 · Dec 16, 2006

I recently saw The World Fastest Indian.
Even if Burt Munro will not take the Goldwing for a run on Salt Flats,
he would still appreciate the performance and the fairing….

lovetoride

· #25 · Dec 17, 2006

If you build it, they will come.

If we don't come, they won't build it.

The reason the Gold Wing, and many other items in our lives, are getting over-engineered, over-optioned, is because we buy them.

Mother Honda would not build motorcycles with GPS, ABS, Airbags, cruise control, 6 disk CD changers, etc.... if we did not buy them.

cptdenny

· #26 · Dec 17, 2006

Wi_Winger said:
What would cycle riders back in the 1930's and 40's say about this cycle we call a Goldwing today?

Comments Please............

:shock: WOW! A motorcycle without car tires installed... :shock:

PunkinDave

· #27 · Dec 17, 2006

cptdenny said:
Wi_Winger said:

What would cycle riders back in the 1930's and 40's say about this cycle we call a Goldwing today?

Comments Please............

Click to expand...

:shock: WOW! A motorcycle without car tires installed... :shock:

Back then you could always tell a car tire, it only had a whitewall on one side!

Snowwolfe

· #28 · Dec 17, 2006

My wife is waiting for the portable DVD player that slips into the pocket on the back of my riding jacket so she can watch a movie as we ride.

Analysttom

· #29 · Dec 17, 2006

technology

I'd be willing to bet that in 30 to 40 years the GL1800 will appear as archaic to the riders of the day as a VL Flathead looks to us today. It's fun to speculate about what changes are coming, but it is safe to say we aren't going backwards.

The Goldwing is aimed at middle aged men who like gadgets. There are any number of touring and sport touring bikes with less gadgets available from Harley, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Triumph and others (including Honda) that offer full on comfort and reliability with less complexity. But lets face it, thats not who we are. We love the gadgets, we love the accessories, that why we love our Wings.

However, I think there is a part of many of us that finds the idea of bungeeing a small duffel on the back of an unfaired bike and taking off for a long weekend to be a wonderful fantasy. No CB, no GPS, no luggage. Just a few essentials and a sleeping roll. Maybe thats why I'm lusting for either a new Sportster or Bonneville. If I get one, no doubt I'll hit the BRP for a few days as described above. Maybe it'll suck, but maybe I will find my time machine. I'll let you know. :wink:

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Son of Thunder

· #30 · Dec 17, 2006

Re: technology

Analysttom said:
The Goldwing is aimed at middle aged men who like gadgets. There are any number of touring and sport touring bikes with less gadgets available from Harley, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Triumph and others (including Honda) that offer full on comfort and reliability with less complexity. But lets face it, thats not who we are. We love the gadgets, we love the accessories, that why we love our Wings.

With all due respect, what's this "we" stuff? I like to ride. Occasionally, I get to ride for long distances. And the Goldwing's a bike I can ride all day, without feeling like roadkill when I'm done. I have a few gadgets (iPod, CB, etc.) but nothin' fancy, and nothin' my friend doesn't have on his Ultra. It ain't about the gadgets; it's about the versatility. Oh, and I've been riding Wings since long before I was middle-aged.

Twistgrip

· #31 · Dec 17, 2006

"We love our gadgets,we love our accessories"etc,etc! Who the hell is "we"?
I have owned 6 Gold Wings,(all were bought brand new,by myself)since 1981,(I was 31 then) and apart from a tent rack fitted to the tow hitch,I have NEVER had any "gadgets"! No CB, (I have no desire to talk to anyone while riding,plus,there's not much point,as I always travel alone!)no Gps,(I don't want my every move being tracked)no trailer,(if it won't fit on the bike,then I don't need it!). I have never needed any of that! When I go out on the bike,whether it be a ten mile trip,or,a ride to Russia(twice) I leave any "gadgets" that I might have,where they belong,at home! I do,however,take a mobile phone,which is ALWAYS switched off! it's purely for emergency,as yet,only ever been needed once,in Spain,4 years ago!
So,you may like,(even be obssessed by)"gadgets",but please,don't tar everyone that rides a Gold Wing, with the same brush. It's because of people like you that Wing riders(on this side of the pond,at least)are generally looked upon by other motorcyclists as a bit of a joke, although it's usually me thats laughing the longest!

Keep it upright.
Twistgrip

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Mike L

· #32 · Dec 17, 2006

Arn Butt Bill said:
I don't know about you but I'm waiting for those flying scooters that Luke was riding on the Ewok planet.
They looked pretty cool.

Me too ! It looks like those things really go.........

pidjones

· #33 · Dec 17, 2006

"It's because of people like you"

Well, I suppose I owe an appology. I like gadgets, too. Sorry to cause you so much disrespect over there. :roll:

LarryM

· #34 · Dec 17, 2006

I almost hung on to my Magna when I bought the Wing because I thought I would enjoy the simplicity of a basic bike once in awhile. But after 4 years I have yet to wish I had something else to ride.

The beauty of gadgets is that they are there if you want them but nobody says you have to use them. The Goldwing can be just about as basic as you want it to be. My CB is only used during group rides. The stereo is only used while commuting.

In answer to the original question, I think most riders from another time would be in awe, just like they would be in awe of seeing most futuristic things.

I don't think we have reached the end either. I think we will see an automatic transmission in the not to distant future. (I wouldn't want one though.) Wireless intercoms are a possibility. I think that the GPS some folks hate so much is just the beginning. As prices come down and the technology matures, and weather info becomes more widespread, it will be more common than a stereo.

I also think that some things, like the airbag, won't survive. Since they are only practical on a few large touring bikes and the government can't mandate them, I don't think enough people will buy them to justify the engineering costs.

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Analysttom

· #35 · Dec 17, 2006

Dear Twistgrip,
I originally wrote:

We love the gadgets, we love the accessories, that why we love our Wings

Although I would imagine that the number of "gadgets" Honda includes with the Wing (yes, an on-board air compressor is a gadget, so is a radio and cassette player, so is a remote trunk release, so is reverse) would indicate that at least some of their customers want and use these features.
However, it is possible that you have never used any of these gadgets and may have even removed them from your bike.

Similarly, a simple scan of the topics on this board should inform even the most casual observer that many Wing riders like to add "accessories" to their bikes. Which is not to say that you haven't left all of your Wings bone stock.

In the interest of clarity and Trans-Atlantic harmony, I have decided to modify my use of the editorial "we" and revise my opening sentence to "We (except for some limey poofs who all think they are the return of Mike the Bike) love our gadgets."

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Son of Thunder

· #36 · Dec 17, 2006

Analysttom said:
Dear Twistgrip,
I originally wrote:

We love the gadgets, we love the accessories, that why we love our Wings

Click to expand...

Although I would imagine that the number of "gadgets" Honda includes with the Wing (yes, an on-board air compressor is a gadget, so is a radio and cassette player, so is a remote trunk release, so is reverse) would indicate that at least some of their customers want and use these features.
However, it is possible that you have never used any of these gadgets and may have even removed them from your bike.

Similarly, a simple scan of the topics on this board should inform even the most casual observer that many Wing riders like to add "accessories" to their bikes. Which is not to say that you haven't left all of your Wings bone stock.

In the interest of clarity and Trans-Atlantic harmony, I have decided to modify my use of the editorial "we" and revise my opening sentence to "We (except for some limey poofs who all think they are the return of Mike the Bike) love our gadgets."

Have you ever ridden an 1800? If so, you should know that it's the ride itself that most people cite as their reason for buying or wanting one. All the other stuff is icing on the cake. In the interest of clarity, you might want to scan your owner's manual. The 1800 doesn't come with an on-board air compressor, or a cassette player, for that matter. At least they didn't in '03!

Like I said, the Ultra comes with most of the stuff you listed as standard equipment, except for trunk release and reverse.

In any case, Mr. Analysttom, please do me a personal favor and speak for yourself. No matter what side of the Pond I happen to be on at the time, I don't like to be mis-represented.

Analysttom

· #37 · Dec 17, 2006

Have you ever ridden an 1800? If so, you should know that it's the ride itself that most people cite as their reason for buying or wanting one. All the other stuff is icing on the cake. In the interest of clarity, you might want to scan your owner's manual. The 1800 doesn't come with an on-board air compressor, or a cassette player, for that matter. At least they didn't in '03!

As a matter of fact I have ridden a GL1800. Bought one brandy-new 17 March 2006. Current mileage 26,336. I have so few miles on this bike largely because I had surgery in early November and haven't been able to ride. I don't own, nor have I ever owned a HD Ultra, although I hear it is a nice bike. Im not sure what that had to do with making your point. The writer I was responding to referenced having 6 new Wings since 1981 (I'm quoting from memory so the number may be off some). I recall many of the Wings in that period including my own as having both cassette players and on-board compressors. Of course I know there is no cassette player on a GL1800. I must admit, although I knew there was not an air take-off like on my '84, I thought perhaps the GL1800 adjusted its rear shock preload with air.

In any event, I have no desire to misrepresent you "Mr. Son-of-Thunder." Did you interpret my post to say that the sole or even the primary reason people buy wings is the gadgets? If so, I suggest you re-read the post. Of course its the ride, and the reputation for quality, and brand loyalty, and the built-in community, and the features (perhaps you like that word better than gadget), and the extensive dealer network, etc., etc.

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Mark Rowell

· #38 · Dec 17, 2006

It is all a matter of choice. If antique motorcycles are what you really want to ride, then go to an bike auction and get one. They will provide you endless hours of working on them to keep them running, bugs in your teeth, vibration up the kazoo, unsafe brakes and suspension, etc. As you can tell, I am not a proponent of the AMA historical society.

The nice thing about living today is that you have a choice. If you want old and rickety, you can have it. If you want luxury, you can have that too. It is only a matter of money. I will take my 2005 GL-1800A any day of the week, thank you very much.

Son of Thunder

· #39 · Dec 17, 2006

Analysttom said:
Did you interpret my post to say that the sole or even the primary reason people buy wings is the gadgets? If so, I suggest you re-read the post. Of course its the ride, and the reputation for quality, and brand loyalty, and the built-in community, and the features (perhaps you like that word better than gadget), and the extensive dealer network, etc., etc.

Frankly, re-reading your first post still gives that impression. But no matter, I have no desire to argue, especially with someone who's recovering from surgery. Just get healed up and get back out there and ride! Wish I could put 26,336 on mine in less than a year!

21 - 39 of 39 Posts

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